6 Vital Tasks During a Flash Flood Warning

Even if you’ve lived through several flash flood warnings that didn’t quite live up to the threat, they’re still not something you should take lightly. Who knows, the next one might be the real deal that flips your entire world upside down. Would you know what to do if the waters started rising to your ankles? Because if you don’t, it will be too late. These are six things to do during a flash flood warning to keep your family and home safe.

6 Vital Tasks During a Flash Flood Warning

What to do During a Flash Flood Warning

Usually, with a flash flood warning, you don’t have much time to respond. It would be best to study what to do now so your instincts kick in when you need to put things into action. Flooding: Everything You Need to Know

1. Move To Higher Ground

If you live in an area prone to flash flooding, or if you’re caught in one while you’re out and about, it’s essential to get yourself to higher ground, if possible, as soon as possible. This means you should avoid areas known to flood, such as riverbanks, canyons, and low-lying regions during typical flood seasons. If you’re caught in a flood while driving and can’t negotiate a retreat route, abandon your vehicle and move to higher ground immediately.

2. Stay Updated

While some of you may think I’m going a bit extreme regarding flash floods and have already concluded that one could never occur in your neck of the woods, you could be very wrong. Believe it or not, flash floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States each year. They’ve been known to happen anywhere and within a few short minutes.

That’s why it’s critical that you and your family stay well-informed when a flash flood warning has been issued for your area. Be sure that you have a weather radio tuned in to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with your local weather channel, on the TV. That way, you’ll be up to date on what’s going on around you and know when to evacuate if the order has been issued. NOAA Radio

3. Gather Essential Supplies

If you find yourself trapped in your home during a flash flood, having some essential supplies on hand is important. This means that you should have prepared and set aside these items because once the warning has been issued, it’s too late to accumulate needed supplies. You’ll want plenty of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a first-aid kit, flashlights, and batteries. It would be best to consider storing blankets and towels on the second floor or in your attic so your family can dry off and stay warm. First Aid Kit For Survival

These items will help you stay hydrated, fed, and safe until the waters recede. To be on the safer side, you should have at least a three-day supply of these items to see your family through until you can find shelter elsewhere. How To Store Water-Pros And Cons

4. Create an evacuation plan

If you live in an area prone to flash floods, it’s a good idea to create an evacuation plan ahead of time. This way, you and your family know what to do and where to go if you need to evacuate quickly. Choose a safe location outside of the flood zone and make sure everyone knows how to get there.

It’s also a good idea to have a backup location in case the first one isn’t accessible. If the main road is blocked, you should know a backup route.

Pack a bag with essential items like clothes, medications, and important documents to grab and go if you need to evacuate. Another crucial thing is ensuring your vehicle has enough gas to get your family safely away from the flood-affected area. Lastly, make sure everyone in your family has a life jacket available and knows how to swim, just in case. 10 Things You Should Do Before You Evacuate.

5. Turn Off Your Utilities

Flood waters have been known to electrocute people when they come into contact with electrical appliances and outlets. It’s in your best interest to ensure that your family stays safe while your home also experiences the least damage during a flash flood warning. You can do this by closing off the gas valve and turning off all your utilities on the main power switch. This will help prevent further damage to your home and keep your family safe. How To Turn Off The Gas And Water In Your House

6. Move Your Valuables to the Top Floor

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Instead of allowing your valuables to get swept away or destroyed by flood waters, if you have time to do so, move them to the top floor of your home. For those who live in a two-story home, put your valuables on the second level. If you have a ranch-style home, move them into an attic or another room, not on the ground floor.

This is especially important if you live in an area prone to flash flooding. If you don’t have time to move everything, focus on the irreplaceable items that would be the most difficult to replace. This could include important documents, family heirlooms, and photographs. But if it becomes clear that your situation has become critical, stop focusing on stuff and get yourself to safety. Sneaky Places to Hide Your Valuables

Things that You Should Never Do During a Flash Flood Warning

Before I wrap this up, I thought it was also necessary to review a few things you should never do during a flash flood warning. For instance: 

• If you need to evacuate, don’t wait until the last minute. And never drive your vehicle through 6 inches or more of water. This can cause your car to stall and leave you stranded, which could put you in a very dangerous situation.

• Also, don’t cross a river or stream on foot if the water moves swiftly. It only takes 6 inches of fast-moving water to knock an adult off their feet and 12 inches to carry away a small car. So, if the water is moving too swiftly for you to cross safely, find another way to get to safety.

• Lastly, don’t try to climb into the attic if your house begins to fill with water. Instead, go onto the roof and wait for rescuers. The attic will only become a trap once there’s no way out if the water continues to rise.

More Disaster Tips for a Flash Flood Warning:

• Flooding: Everything You Need to Know
• 7 Shocking Facts About Preparedness
• Hurricane Items You Must Have Before It Hits

Final Word

So, those are six essential things you should do during a flash flood warning. Stay safe out there, and remember, even if you don’t think it will ever happen to you, it’s always better to be prepared just in case. May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Canyonlands Flooding AdobeStock_229821295 by Krzysztof Wiktor

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